McCann Australia promotes CD Pat Baron to the role of executive CD at McCann Melbourne

McCann Australia has promoted award-winning creative Pat Baron (far left) to the post of executive creative director of McCann Melbourne, effective immediately.

Baron has been instrumental in the renaissance of McCann Australia, which saw the agency become the most awarded in the world in 2013 with more than 200 trophies across 15 campaigns. He played a crucial role in globally recognised campaigns such as Dumb Ways To Die for Metro Trains, Impossible Orchestra for the federal government, Guilt Trip for V/Line and the Victorian Responsible Gambling Foundation’s 100-Day Challenge.

In his new role, Baron joins McCann Sydney ECD Dejan Rasic to form one of the most awarded senior creative leadership duos in the country. Both Baron and Rasic report to national ECD John Mescall.

Says Mescall: “Pat’s new role is more than recognition for a job (very) well done. It’s also recognition of Pat’s hunger to continue to drive McCann’s efforts to remain on the righteous path towards being Australia’s most constantly excellent creative agency.

“As the most awarded creative director in the world over the past year and with the incredible respect he has won from our clients for his commitment to the quality of our creative product, Pat is a key player in achieving that goal.”

Baron returned to McCann Melbourne in 2012 as the agency embarked on its transformation following the merger with creative independent SMART. He began his 19-year career in London and has spent stints at Clemenger BBDO Melbourne, JWT, See as well as McCann Australia.

Advertising Age magazine’s The Awards Report 2013 named Baron and Mescall as the two highest-ranked creatives in the global advertising industry, while Metro Trains is now ranked among the top three most awarded advertisers in the world, behind global giants Unilever and Nike.

Says Mescall: “In Pat and Dejan I know we have two of the very best creative leaders in the country. We’re incredibly lucky.”

(Pictured L-R: Pat Baron, ECD at McCann Melbourne; Ben Lilley, CEO and chairman at McCann Australia and John Mescall, ECD at McCann Australia)